cleaning boat

supra · Newbie Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 14 City: tupelo, ms

What is the best thing to clean the interior of your boat with? I've heard not to use armor all because it dries out the vinyl and over a period of time it will make it crack.

MadDog · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 465 City: Upstate NY

best stuff is 303 to clean/protect the vinyl. It wont dry it out, and does a good job on it.

Phaeton · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 572 City: Redding

We use Fantastik to clean the vinyl. Then we use 303 to protect it.

John Jared · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 726 City: Round Lake, IL

I use Fantastik...what is 303 and where do you get it?

MadDog · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 465 City: Upstate NY

303 is a vinyl conditioner. You should be able to get it at your marine store.

JD · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 320 City: Bellingham

I use Dri Clean to clean the vinyl in my boat I have used it for 3 years and haven't seen any problems.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Mar 01, 2003 11:33 am Post subject:

Use Fantastic, its great it works flawlessly!

wakejunky · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 147 City: Cal.

Correct Craft recommends Fantastik for cleaning the upolstery. Apparently, most other cleaners have a drying affect on the upolstery. The best option would be Fantastik with 303 Protectant for UV protection.

Chris
No Slip Gator Grip
www.wakejunky.com

Also for sale
http://home.surewest.net/cfoye/96SportNautique/96SportNautique.htm

Krashr31 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 238 City: Florida

I've been using soft scrub w/ bleach(with a brush) to clean and 303.
Fantastik may be better for the upholestry.

eharaga · Newbie Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 34

Is that the same Fantastik that is sold at regular stores, or is this another brand that is only sold at marine shops?

Phaeton · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 572 City: Redding

Same stuff sold in regular stores. Try to get the original un scented kind.

Bluesman · Posted: Mar 02, 2003 8:32 am Post subject:

I agree 303 is great stuff. It's also expensive.

The only way to knock down the price is to buy a gallon container. That's enough for about 2 summers.

Even on our 20 year old boat it leaves the upholstery soft. 303 is a "must have" item for our boat.

bizzuck · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 593

do they have 303 at walmart?

lbc · Newbie Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 7

I have all ways used simple green and a mild small scrub brush and a rag it does the trick every time

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I use fantastik and then a 3-M vinyl protectant. I've also used the 303 and have found that the 3-M makes it feel softer. I think it is called 3-M marine Vinyl protectant or something like that.

Nick
________
Ship Sale

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

Soap and water or Fantastik to clean.....

And I use a ton of 303..... Buy a gallon every Spring.... Use it on everything except my carpet and covers.

E.J.

MadDog · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 465 City: Upstate NY

Otto, where do you get the 3-M stuff? I'd like to give it a try, but have never seen it around?

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I got it at a place called Boat U.S. and I think I've seen it at another place called Boater's World. You can't see it too well in the picture, but it's circled in red next to the fantastik.

Here it is online, but as you can see from the picture the stuff I got didn't come in a spray bottle.

http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=659108

Nick
________
Vapir Oxygen

MadDog · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 465 City: Upstate NY

OttoNP, thanks!

eharaga · Newbie Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 34

Which 303 should I try:

303 Aerospace Protectant
303 Cleaner and Spot Removal

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

Eric,

What everyone has been talking about is the protectant. You need to give your SANTE a good going over with it on a regular basis. The Cobalt gets a coat every time I am on it. Seats, gelcoat, dash..... Truly, everywhere. It is like sunscreen and lotion for your boat.

Added bonus, makes it look freshed waxed.

E.J.

Adam Greer · Posted: Mar 03, 2003 2:11 pm Post subject:

they also have the 3M stuff at super wal mart in the boating supplies section

eharaga · Newbie Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Posts: 34

EJ,

What type of stuff would you put on the gelcoat and dash? I use a bunch of the magellin cleaning products, only because thats what the dealer gave me when I bought my boat last summer......

I have no problem overdoing a good clean job.....So the Fantastik as a cleaner, teh 303 as the protectant on the seats....Any particular cleaner or wax for the gelcoat that may work better than others? What abouit the plastics (dash and such).....

This will be my full first summer with the new boat, so I want to keep it new as long as possible...

thnx

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

Eric,

303....303....303. I wash/detail my boat every few weeks. Wax twice a year(six month season). I am sure that standard boating cleaning products for this type of maintenance is fine. But EVERY time I go out in the boat. I give the gelcoat a full wipe down with Ducky(I am sure any waterspot remover or vinegar is adequate) and then wipe the seats down....sometimes with just water, sometimes with fantastik or soap and water. Then I give the entire boat(except carpet, windows and covers) a good coating of 303.

I truly look at 303 for the boat like sunscreen for the skin. Water is not going to hurt your boat, but the sun will kill it. Added bonus, it makes everything shine and look new....or maybe I should say keep it new.

E.J.

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

I don't know if I made that clear re: your question. When I talk about cleaning the seats, I pretty much mean the entire inside of the boat. Seats, dash, everything but the carpet. So on those I sometimes use just a wet rag, sometimes fantastik or soap and water. But ALWAYS the 303....remember that stuff needs protection from the sun even more than your gelcoat IMO.

The nice thing is that you just start spraying and don't really have to worry what is getting hit.....because you want to hit everything.........

E.J.